Let’s be honest. Running your own business can be absolutely exhausting. And we’re not talking about the regular kind of tired that an extra hour of sleep can fix.
No, this is small business owner fatigue — the type of burnout that creeps up on you when you’re juggling a million tasks, wearing all of the hats, and wondering when you’ll get a moment to catch your breath.
And that stress, that fatigue, that burnout, it’s all for good reason. A Forbes study that came out earlier this year found that most women business owners earn less than $50k a year.
I know—it’s not the most encouraging statistic.
But at HerBusiness, we help women business owners break through that glass ceiling, giving them the strategies, tools, and connections to scale over 100k a year. And we’ve helped many of our members scale far beyond that. I’d like to use this blog as a resource for you, if you’re experiencing some small business owner fatigue right now.
Because the secret to overcoming it and breaking through the barriers – is all in your planning.
(P.S. If you’d like to join the HerBusiness Network, you can get on the waitlist here! We’ll let you know when we open up the membership spots next.)
So, what is small business owner fatigue?
Before we jump into strategies, let’s get on the same page about what this fatigue actually is. It’s not just feeling a bit tired. It’s the kind of exhaustion that leaves you mentally drained, emotionally spent, and wondering if starting your business was even worth it. This is SO common among women small business owners, because we are constantly on the go, making decisions, putting out fires, and often working late into the night.
Sound familiar? Recognising it is the first step to making the necessary changes.
The Power of Personal Planning
Personal planning might sound like a ‘productivity hack’, but getting a plan (and sticking to it) can be the lifesaver for your business. When you plan, you prioritise. And when you prioritise, you make space for the things that ACTUALLY matter. Those things that keep you inspired and keep you engaged — rather than the things that drain you.
We often think that we don’t have time to plan when our to-do lists get out of control. But taking 30 minutes at the start of your week can give you hours back in return. So, let’s make your planning time a non-negotiable.
Set Boundaries to Protect Your Energy — and your productivity
Boundaries are the magic ingredient that so many business owners overlook. Without them, everything (and everyone) will claim your time and energy. So, what does setting boundaries actually look like? It’s carving out no-work zones in your week, like Sunday afternoons with family or Friday evenings for time with friends.
It’s about learning to say “no” to the things that don’t align with your goals. And saying “no” can be tough sometimes — especially when you have shiny object syndrome, always wanting to try out the newest marketing strategy or workflow hack. But it is essential to set these boundaries to protect your time. And you can literally schedule in these no-work zones into your GCal or whatever system you use. Visually block it out.
Set Up Your Weekly and Daily Planning Time
Alright, let’s get into specifics. One of my favourite ways to beat fatigue is by planning out my focus areas in advance. And here’s the trick — I try my HARDEST to actually stick to those. Because it’s when the small, unexpected tasks pile up that we begin to feel the dread and fatigue. So planning out in advance makes a huge difference. Every week, I try to sit down with my planner and map out what my week looks like. And every morning, I see what’s coming up and set my intentions for the day. I block out time for big projects, all while leaving time for breaks and a clear log-off time
I’m also a BIG supporter of sitting down one day every 90 -days to look back and evaluate how your quarter went. It’s an opportunity to get the birds-eye view of your business and reconnect with your yearly goals.
Prioritise Self-Care as Part of Your Schedule
Now, I think this can be a bit of a buzzword. But I’m not saying you need to get weekly spa treatments or get a message twice a week (but if you do… I’m jealous!). Self-care is really about taking intentional time to connect your mind and your body.
For me, self care is all about my workout time. I love exercise, I love getting to the gym, I love hiking and getting outside. So for me, scheduling in the time to take care of my body is my personal ‘self-care’.
And multiple times a year, I make sure I’m taking the time to travel — that’s another priority of mine. It’s something I truly love to do, exploring new places, trying new food, and spending time somewhere outside of my home office.
Whatever self care means to you, I really encourage you to schedule that in. Something you can do consistently, like my workouts, multiple times a week. And something that you can do that you’ll really look forward to, something you enjoy.
Use Community and Delegation to Lighten the Load
I’m a strong believe in the power of community. We’re not meant to do this alone, even though that is SO often the case for women business owners. In fact, I hear from women all the time who join the HerBusiness Network; they simply didn’t have people around them who understood the challenges of starting your own business. As much as family and friends can be there, it’s so important to have a community around you that just gets it. People who have been there, done that, and can give you tangible advice on what to do.
And then there’s delegation. As small business owners, we often feel like we HAVE to do everything ourselves. But that’s a surefire way to burn out. Even if you don’t have a full-time team, what could you delegate? Maybe it’s hiring a part-time virtual assistant or outsourcing your bookkeeping. Lightening the load can do wonders for your ability to refocus on what matters — and what you’re most passionate about.
Planning for Long-Term Sustainability
It’s important to remember that your business isn’t a sprint — it’s a marathon. Long-term planning is key to keeping your energy up for the long haul. Just because you’re having a harder quarter or you’ve had some setbacks does NOT mean that it’s time to give in and burn out. Remember that the goal is to grow and scale your business over a long time span.
So, schedule time each quarter to review your goals, reflect on the progress you’ve made, and see what you can do to adjust your strategy.
And don’t forget to plan for downtime. This might mean taking a week off over the holidays or having a couple of weeks off for a planned vacation. Your future self will thank you, and your business will be better for it.
Remember, YOU are the biggest asset your business has.
Small business owner fatigue is very real, but it doesn’t have to be your reality. You are the most important piece of the puzzle in your business — so it’s essential to plan out your day-to-day and your year around your life. Prioritise your personal planning, set those boundaries, and make time for self care.
If you’re ready to feel more supported and connected to other women business owners, you can get on the HerBusiness Network waitlist now! We have so many resources to help you tackle every challenge, from battling small business owner fatigue to sales and marketing masterclasses to networking events with like-minded women who truly “get it”. Your business journey doesn’t have to be solo — get on the waitlist now to join our incredible and supportive community.
